Chapter 324: Human Immortal Martial Dao

"Is the little junior brother quite puzzled?"

Senior Brother Shi ignored the commotion coming from the training ground behind him, leading Lin Ke forward while casually asking.

"Indeed, I am somewhat puzzled; please, Senior Brother Shi, do not hesitate to instruct me."

Lin Ke was indeed very puzzled, and thus did not hide this fact.

"Because your talent is so good that it can be seen at a glance."

Senior Brother Shi turned his head back, speaking very solemnly: "It's the kind of talent that any martial hall or sect would rush to take on as a disciple."

"Really?"

Lin Ke was half-believing, half-doubting.

Because in this life of seven years, he has seen few outsiders.

Previously, when brought out by his single mother, they were always hurried arrivals and hurried departures, with hardly any contact with the outside world.

"Once you meet the Master, you'll know."

Senior Brother Shi didn't elaborate further, merely quickening his pace.

Soon, the two passed through a hanging flower gate and arrived at the inner courtyard where the Master and his family usually reside.

Senior Brother Shi, guessing that he had a bold and open-hearted nature, tidied his appearance before entering the inner courtyard, put on his clothes, and covered his previously bare upper body.

"Fu Bo, is the Master in the study or not?"

After just a few steps, the two encountered a steward with white-streaked hair, and Senior Brother Shi directed his inquiry to him.

The steward named Fu Bo was directing several maids and servants to sprinkle clean water in the courtyard to dispel the heat.

Upon hearing the voice, he turned around and smiled, saying, "It's daring, isn't it? The Master is in the study teaching the young lady to read and write; do you have business with the Master?"

Senior Brother Shi grinned broadly, his tone quite proud: "I've brought a little junior brother for the Master to take a look at."

"Oh?"

The steward Fu Bo's gaze suddenly shifted, landing on Lin Ke.

A glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes as he carefully examined Lin Ke from head to toe, unable to refrain from nodding in praise: "Not bad! Truly not bad! With such talent, if you don't enter my Eight Extremes Martial Hall to cultivate the Human Immortal Martial Dao, it would be a waste."

Lin Ke listening, was somewhat confused.

However, he did not show it, maintaining a calm expression on his face.

Even though his sea of consciousness was sealed and the knowledge of the wizard world locked, his spiritual power, given by innate endowment and postnatal training, was only somewhat superior to that of his peers, falling short of the transcendent and extraordinary standard.

However, under conscious and unconscious guidance, Lin Ke in this life has had balanced diet and nutrition since childhood, plus a scientific routine and exercise, making his body naturally much stronger than that of his peers.

What presented itself to Steward Fu Bo and Senior Brother Shi before them was a seven-year-old child with extraordinary bone structure, height comparable to an ordinary eleven- or twelve-year-old, possessing a temperament far more steady than that of an eleven- or twelve-year-old, and not given to much talk or laughter.

Such qualities are even more suitable for cultivating the Human Immortal Martial Dao, which requires endurance of hardship.

Steward Fu Bo couldn't help but nod again, saying to Senior Brother Shi: "Take him to find the Master; I'm sure the Master will be very pleased tonight."

"All right, Fu Bo."

Senior Brother Shi held this Fu Bo in high respect, performing a clasped-fist salute before leading Lin Ke toward the study.

There's no blame in excessive courtesy.

Lin Ke also performed a bow to Fu Bo, then followed.

"He's a good child."

Steward Fu Bo chuckled heartily, then pointed to a maid and instructed: "Go to the West Wing, prepare a room, and await the young master's lodging tonight."

"Yes, Fu Bo."

That maid lowered her head in salute, her eyes calm and waveless, revealing strong traces of training and professional competence.

Evidently, Fu Bo is quite capable in his role as steward.

"How is this character read, and what does it mean?"

As they approached the study, before entering, Lin Ke heard a voice full of vigor, slightly annoyed yet deliberately restrained.

"I don't know! If I did, would I still need Father to teach me?"

A clear, bell-like loli voice then rang out, confident and justified.

Cough cough

Senior Brother Shi cleared his throat, not stepping forward to knock, but loudly said: "Master, Disciple Shi Gangan has a matter to request an audience."

"Come in!"

That vigorous voice immediately granted permission.

The study's door opened on its own, without wind.

Senior Brother Shi led Lin Ke inside.

"Eh! What a handsome young man."

The clear, bell-like loli voice spoke first: "Father, let this young man accompany me in studying, okay?"

The Martial Hall Master, Senior Brother Shi's master, the renowned martial arts grandmaster of Fuli County, Li Shuwen, narrowed his eyes slightly; his sharp gaze seemed able to penetrate Lin Ke's outward appearance and see through to his very interior.

Lin Ke actually felt very clearly that this martial arts grandmaster was, point by point, exerting mental pressure through his gaze.

"Is this testing my limit of stress resistance?"

A flicker of doubt crossed his mind, and Lin Ke immediately calmed himself, silently enduring Li Shuwen's spiritual pressure.

Shortly after, just as Lin Ke felt that with his current spiritual power he could hardly continue bearing the pressure, Li Shuwen decisively stopped increasing the spiritual pressure, gradually decreasing it bit by bit until it was withdrawn.

Hoo…

Lin Ke unconsciously exhaled a breath.

This is the body's instinctive reaction; it can be restrained, but there's no need.

"His talent is so good it's practically overflowing."

Li Shuwen muttered in a low voice, then asked solemnly: "Name? Age? Background? Why have you come to my Eight Extremes Martial Hall?"

Hmm…

We must keep the quoted speech exactly as spoken, but translate Chinese to English.

The previously ignored little girl's voice sounded again: "Daddy, I want this young gentleman to accompany me in my studies, okay?"

This kid before him had thick brows, big eyes, red lips and white teeth—definitely a fine young specimen.

Now translation:

"Lin Ke immediately straightened his stance and spoke the prepared answer: 'Lin Ke, I just turned seven, I grew up with my mother, I have always admired Master Li's demeanor; my mother originally planned to send me to the Eight Extremes Martial Hall to take Master Li as my teacher. Now our family has suffered a sudden change, my mother has been taken back by her relatives, leaving me alone, and I all the more need to join the Eight Extremes Martial Hall. Once I become strong enough, I will go fetch my mother back.'"

What trouble?

What the mistress says is right, what the mistress says is right.

Now output: 【61】 Lin Ke immediately straightened his stance and spoke the prepared answer: "Lin Ke, I just turned seven, I grew up with my mother, I have always admired Master Li's demeanor; my mother originally planned to send me to the Eight Extremes Martial Hall to take Master Li as my teacher. Now our family has suffered a sudden change, my mother has been taken back by her relatives, leaving me alone, and I all the more need to join the Eight Extremes Martial Hall. Once I become strong enough, I will go fetch my mother back."

Make sure it's one line.

Shi Gandang, Senior Brother Shi, promptly replied, then immediately bowed to master and madam.

Lin Ke, seeing this, also bowed to the predetermined master and madam, then followed Senior Brother Shi out of the study.

Before Lin Ke turned around, the little girl broke into a bright smile and blinked her eyes.

Thus: 【64】 He greatly appreciated Lin Ke's frankness, his honesty without reservation, yet he also worried that taking Lin Ke on would needlessly bring trouble to the martial hall.

Li Shuwen and his wife exchanged a glance, then he suddenly sighed: "Madam, it's not that I'm cowardly and fearful; it's just that the situation has become overly complex lately, forcing me to act cautiously."

The mistress snorted: "What's there to fear? Those people of the Mechanical Martial Dao are striving upward; if the Human Immortal Martial Dao doesn't want to be swept into history's trash heap, it must likewise strive upward and spread its teachings. This young gentleman Lin Ke has such fine talent—whether he cultivates Human Immortal Martial Dao or Mechanical Martial Dao, he can accomplish something. A few minor troubles? To give up eating because of choking is unacceptable."

Yes, yes, yes, the mistress's instruction is correct!

Seeing his wife grow more agitated as she spoke, Li Shuwen hurriedly accompanied her with a smile and cautiously reminded: "Madam, don't get agitated, lest you disturb the fetal qi."

The mistress stroked her already-showing belly, a maternal glow spreading across her face, gave Li Shuwen a white look, and led the little girl making faces at her father out of the study.

Left Li Shuwen alone in the study.

He waved his hand, using a palm gust to close the study's windows, turned off the fashionable electric lamp, and the study instantly grew dim.

Li Shuwen sat at the desk, his expression matching the gloom of the study, very somber.

What the mistress said is not wrong.

The heterodox Mechanical Martial Dao crowd keeps growing stronger, while the Human Immortal Martial Dao already shows signs of decline.

Looking ahead and behind, it's truly untenable.

However...

As for me, it doesn't matter; at most I'll stake my life in a final all-or-nothing effort.

What about the mistress? What about Si Si? What about the unborn child? And what about those secret-transmission disciples?

Li Shuwen recalled how several Human Immortal Martial Dao sects and some martial halls fared after their mountain gates were smashed by the Mechanical Martial Dao practitioners, and he couldn't help but clench his fists.

He would absolutely not let his own Eight Extremes Martial Hall fall behind.

Starting tomorrow, he will relax the requirements for some secret-transmission disciples and recruit more people.

He will emphasize both quality—training a few disciples capable of upholding the hall's reputation—and quantity—more hands mean more can be accomplished.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Lin Ke woke up on time.

He had just stepped out of his room when he met Senior Brother Shi.

It looked like Senior Brother Shi had come to wake him up.

After settling into his room the previous night, Senior Brother Shi took him to the dining hall, where they had dinner together with the master, mistress, and the senior fellow disciples.

Master Li Shuwen set a simple discipleship ceremony for this morning at the mao hour.

Since Lin Ke currently only possesses outstanding talent but no martial cultivation yet, they did not widely invite martial arts heroes and renowned masters to witness.

Once Lin Ke enters the Condensing Truth Realm, they will hold a formal discipleship ceremony then.

Lin Ke naturally didn't care much about these details.

His sole aim was to embark on the path of cultivation in this world, unlock the sealed Sea of Consciousness, and attain the rank and power of a wizard.

Come on, little junior brother.

Shi Gandang saw Lin Ke voluntarily getting up so early and was especially delighted.

What he disliked most were lazy people.

All right, Senior Brother.

The heterodox Mechanical Martial Dao crowd keeps growing stronger, while the Human Immortal Martial Dao already shows signs of decline.

Looking ahead and behind, it's truly untenable.

However…

As for me, it doesn't matter; at most I'll stake my life in a final all‑or‑nothing effort.

What about the mistress? What about Si Si? What about the unborn child? And what about those secret‑transmission disciples?

Li Shuwen recalled how several Human Immortal Martial Dao sects and some martial halls fared after their mountain gates were smashed by the Mechanical Martial Dao practitioners, and he couldn't help but clench his fists.

He would absolutely not let his own Eight Extremes Martial Hall fall behind.

Starting tomorrow, he will relax the requirements for some secret‑transmission disciples and recruit more people.

He will emphasize both quality—training a few disciples capable of upholding the hall's reputation—and quantity—more hands mean more can be accomplished.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Lin Ke woke up on time.

He had just stepped out of his room when he met Senior Brother Shi.

It looked like Senior Brother Shi had come to wake him up.

After settling into his room the previous night, Senior Brother Shi took him to the dining hall, where they had dinner together with the master, mistress, and the senior fellow disciples.

Master Li Shuwen set a simple discipleship ceremony for this morning at the mao hour.

Since Lin Ke currently only possesses outstanding talent but no martial cultivation yet, they did not widely invite martial arts heroes and renowned masters to witness.

Once Lin Ke enters the Condensing Truth Realm, they will hold a formal discipleship ceremony then.

Lin Ke naturally didn't care much about these details.

His sole aim was to embark on the path of cultivation in this world, unlock the sealed Sea of Consciousness, and attain the rank and power of a wizard.

Come on, little junior brother.

Shi Gandang saw Lin Ke voluntarily getting up so early and was especially delighted.

What he disliked most were lazy people.

All right, Senior Brother.

Lin Ke respectfully bowed, followed behind Senior Brother Shi, and walked toward the main hall of the inner courtyard.

Under Master Li, there are currently seven secret-transmission disciples; Shi Gandidang is the eldest senior brother, already possessing peak cultivation and strength in the Condensed Truth Realm.

Only awaiting an opportunity, he will be able to advance to the Return to Unity Realm.

By then, not only could he uphold the facade of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall, but even go out on his own and open a branch—it would be possible.

Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Fifth Senior Sister, and Sixth Senior Brother— their cultivation ranges from early to late Condensed Truth Realm, and their abilities are all solid.

The Seventh Senior Sister is Master Li's daughter, Li Sisi, who is about to begin formal cultivation of the Human Immortal Martial Dao.

After Lin Ke was taken in as a disciple, he ranked eighth, the most junior in seniority.

The two arrived at the main hall.

Several senior sisters and brothers arrived one after another, standing in two rows.

Shortly after, Master Li and Madam Li brought Li Sisi to the main hall.

Master Li and Madam Li took their seats at the head, and Li Sisi naturally went to stand beside Fifth Senior Sister.

As the eldest senior brother, Shi Gandidang was precisely the master of ceremonies presiding over this simple initiation/apprenticeship ceremony.

Only hearing him solemnly recite the various rules of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall, he then solemnly shouted: "Lin Ke, can you abide by the rules, honor your teacher and cherish the Dao, and promote the sect's style!"

Lin Ke replied solemnly: "Can!"

"Perform the salute!"

Senior Brother Shi shouted loudly and continued the procedure.

Martial artists have stiff legs and do not easily kneel.

Li Shuwen personally stipulated that the disciples of the Eight Extremes Martial Hall need not kneel—not even he himself as master—only needing consistency in word and deed to achieve true respect, without concern for empty formalities.

Lin Ke clasped his fists, bowing ninety degrees to master and madam respectively.

Second Senior Sister brought over a tray holding two teacups from the side.

Senior Brother Shi timely shouted: "Offer tea!"

Lin Ke stepped forward, first picking up the left teacup with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Master Li.

After Master Li took a small sip, Lin Ke received the cup back and placed it on the tray.

Then he picked up the right teacup with both hands, respectfully presenting it to Madam Li.

Likewise, after Madam Li took a small sip, he received the cup back and placed it on the tray.

Thus, this simple initiation/apprenticeship ceremony concluded.

Lin Ke entered the Eight Extremes Martial Hall very smoothly, and thanks to his almost overflowing talent, he became the hall's eighth secret-transmission disciple.

"Shi Gandidang, you must pay extra attention to your junior brother's cultivation foundation; be sure to solidify it."

Master Li surveyed the eight disciples in the hall, gave a command to the eldest, then said to the others, "Your Seventh Junior Sister and Eighth Junior Brother are about to begin formal cultivation of the Human Immortal Martial Dao; as senior sisters and brothers, you should help and teach them more."

"Yes, Master!"

From Second Senior Sister down to Sixth Senior Brother, they all bowed in unison and responded.

"Let's go for morning practice."

Seeing this, Master Li was extremely pleased and generously swept his sleeve.

Senior Brother Shi then led the seven junior sisters and brothers out of the main hall, left the inner courtyard, and arrived at the outer courtyard training ground.

He entrusted Seventh Junior Sister Li Sisi to Second Junior Sister for instruction, and Senior Brother Shi called Lin Ke to the side.

"Training martial arts without cultivating skill ends in nothing. The so-called skill, at the initial stage of Human Immortal Martial Dao, refers to stance training."

Senior Brother Shi spread his legs, squatted low, and assumed a horse stance, saying while setting it, "Watch closely—this is the most basic stance training."

Lin Ke imitated Senior Brother Shi's posture, assumed the horse stance, and steadied himself.

Seeing this, Senior Brother Shi was quite satisfied but set high demands: "First hold the basic horse stance for ten days; once it's solid, I'll teach you the Yin-Yang stance."

"Yes, Senior Brother."